Innovision Spring 2019

SPRING 2019 | 25 Here at KU, Zackery works as a social media/digital marketing intern for the Small business Development Center (SBDC.)Through the SBDC, Zackery has been able to work with clients and gain experience in the field of marketing. He really enjoys how the SBDC is able to mix the concept of branding with podcasts. In his small business management class, Zackery and his classmates were tasked with creating a business idea and progressing that idea into a business plan. The idea that he submitted was called “Right Now,” an app designed for big college markets for people to see wait times and capacities for different eateries and bars around campus. He didn’t stop there. His idea for an app would also include menus and drink lists for management to use to their advantage. Zackery and his team entered his idea into Kutztown’s Business Idea Competition where they placed second overall. After encouragement from Dr. Shawn Riley, Zackery and his team entered their plan into the PASSHE Business Plan competition.Their idea underwent a series of judging and made it all the way to the semifinals. Looking back on it all, Zackery said, “It was great to represent Kutztown and the whole competition. It was a pretty good experience taking something that we did in the classroom and then applying it to a bigger platform.” Today, Zackery finds himself in a place where he can take different routes. After graduation, he plans to go out and test the job market. He has been searching for marketing and sales positions that are being offered, but he recognizes how competitive the job market can be. Zackery has put thought into returning to KU’s MBA program and possibly applying to the graduate assistantship program. But with all of the options, Zackery knows one thing for certain, “I definitely want to get my Master’s in business,” he said. When asked what he liked about KU, Zackery praised the size of the school, describing it as a “happy medium,” not too big and not too small. He went on to say, “I think the education here is great. There is a really good curriculum. The faculty overall are good. They are great people who are very knowledgeable.” Zackery described all that the college of business had to offer as “gold.” He said, “It’s gold. And Kutztown’s gold.” Zackery Tidmore attended Lebanon Valley College (LVC) where he studied physical therapy. After two years, he realized that the program wasn’t the right fit for him. “It got to the point where I knew I had to make amove,” Zackery said. He wasn’t sure where he wanted to continue his education, but he would soon find out in an unusual manner. After he left LVC, Zackery accompanied his sister to her acting program in New York. It was on that bus when Zackery first saw Kutztown. “I was taking a Bieber bus and it was funny because I drove through here and I thought it was a nice campus and said to myself, ‘Maybe I should transfer here,’” he said. After officially transferring, Zackery would find out that Kutztown had more to offer than just a beautiful campus. When deciding on what major to pursue, Zachery felt the need to choose something that he wouldn’t feel trapped in. He wanted a major that would help prepare him for more than one specific career. “I realized that at the end of the day, everything is business. Business is everywhere,” he said. Zackery was thrilled to learn that Kutztown’s College of Business was accredited by AACSB. He also noticed the way Kutztown alumni thrive in the business world and how it created the opportunity for connections. Searching through LinkedIn, he noticed that there were many companies staffed by alumni from KU. ZACKERY TIDMORE ‘19 Zackery Tidmore is a senior at Kutztown University majoring in Marketing.